When you get a connected set of replacement teeth, that is called a "fixed bridge." The outer enamel layer of teeth next to the empty space is ground down prior to attachment, then the bridge is cemented into position on top of them.
Do you need a quick fix for a missing or chipped tooth? A "flipper is a removable plastic tooth that will fill the gap until you can get an implant or bridge.
With removable, partial dentures, replacement teeth are placed into a metal and plastic frame, which holds on to the adjacent teeth with wire clips. Like a retainer, the patient inserts and removes the partial denture.
When all of the teeth in your upper and/or lower jaws are missing, or cannot be salvaged by your dentist, dentures are a common and convenient solution. Most people adapt to upper dentures very well.
To lower dentures, not so much as they do not stay in place, especially if teeth have been missing for a long time.
For missing teeth, dental implants are a comfortable and permanent solution. Like the roots of your own teeth, they form a firm foundation for the replacement tooth. They can be used as a replacement for a single tooth, or to secure partials or bridges in place.
Unlike bridges, healthy teeth need not be ground down prior to placement. What's more, dental implants can last a lifetime, and be an attractive, stable and realistic alternative for almost any patient needing tooth replacement solutions.
Every tooth in your mouth has a socket. These hold the roots of your teeth. The walls of the sockets can vary in thickness, but are usually thinner in the areas of the lower and upper front teeth. When you get a tooth pulled in preparation for dental implants, the thickness of the socket wall will determine how much the area refills with bone.
The thicker the socket, the more the socket will fill with bone. In situations where sockets are thinner or missing, bone grafts may be performed in order to help your body replace the lost bone, which prepares the area for dental implants.
If it's been many years since you lost your natural tooth, or had it removed, the bony ridge surrounding it has probably thinned out, leaving inadequate bone for dental implant placement.
In this case, a bone graft will be placed next to the affected area and allowed to fuse with the existing bone. This process typically takes about six months. Once the area is adequately healed, the implant will be placed.
In some individuals, additional bone grafting may be required if the sinus cavities are very large and extend into tooth-bearing areas. This typically occurs in those who have been missing teeth in the back of the upper jaw for a long time, leaving a limited amount of bone height available for implant placement.
In these instances, a “sinus lift” procedure is required. During this procedure, which is performed in-office under local anesthesia and sedation, the membrane lining the sinuses are located and elevated. We then restore the bone height to ensure that the dental implants placed are of adequate length. Whenever possible, we perform this procedure at the time of implant placement.
Conventional lower dentures are unsecured prostheses with a long list of limitations. Oftentimes, they're painful, inconvenient, and unstable. They can make chewing certain foods impossible and pop out of place while talking.
Fixed hybrid dentures are a cutting-edge restoration method that has totally changed the way surgeons, dentists and patients view the prospect of replacing a full set of teeth. With these dentures, your missing teeth are replaced with a full dental bridge supported by 4-6 dental implants. A temporary set of teeth can usually be placed on the same day of surgery, allowing you to go about your normal routine right from the get. Following a 3 months healing period, your dentist will then place your permanent bridge.
With fewer implants and procedures required, your overall treatment cost is reduced. Fixed hybrid dentures also afford greater stability in the bone, thus reducing the need for bone graft surgery and other measures to increase bone volume. Your quality of life will be vastly improved, and you can start enjoying your favorite foods again with renewed confidence!
The advantages of Fixed hybrid dentures include, but aren't limited to: